Simplicity has always been one of Apple’s biggest selling points–it’s one of the driving forces behind the switch from PC to Mac and one of the main reasons that the iPod and iPhone were so principle in redefining their respective spaces. The iPad, naturally, is a beacon for such simplicity. The device is incredibly intuitive–even for those who haven’t spent a lot of time on more traditional PCs.
That simplicity, coupled with the device’s size and the diverse functionality of its software, make the iPad an intriguing prospective educational tool. I’ve already heard a number reports of people using the device with young children–in his recent column for PCMag, “100 Days With the iPad,” Tim Bajarin mentioned that his grand daughters often tell him, “I want to play the iPad.”
We’ve already seen a number of apps–both educational and purely entertaining–developed with young users in mind. I suspect that number will only increase, given the popularity of the iPad. While there certainly are a number of parents who use their iPhones to keep their kids busy, there’s something inherently kid-friendly in the iPad’s formfactor.
It’s big–objects on the screen are easier to follow, and when used on a table or lap, it’s harder to drop and break. Not to mention the fact there’s no chance that young users will accidentally make a phone call while fiddling around.
Kindergarten teachers are apparently even testing out the device in their classes. DANO2, a toy manufacturer behind a number of educational apps for the device, cites the example of Diane Owen, a kindergarten teacher in Santa Maria, CA, who plans to introduce a device into her class in the fall.

Owen is applying for a grant, which points to one of the major obstacles of actually introducing an iPad into the classroom–like so many Apple products, these things aren’t cheap. Says Owen, “my students are low income; many do not have the same access to technology as their higher-income counterparts.”
Ideally, after all, the teacher would bring enough to share with the whole class, as the old saying goes. With a starting price of $499, however, that seems like a pipedream for even the most affluent of school districts.
Perhaps a cheaper product like any number of Android tablets should be considered–though those products don’t offer the same manner of uniform and highly vetting experiences as the Apple ecosystem.
And besides, Apple has long realized the importance of positioning its products in schools–there’s no better time to get a consumer accustomed to your UI than when they are first starting out. I know I grew up on the things–the computer lab in my elementary school was chock full of Apple products, and I’ve been a devoted Mac user ever since.
In an ideal world, teachers wouldn’t have to solicit grants to bring the latest technology to the classroom. But perhaps there’s some to be said for mutual benefit. One would be hardpressed to come up with a better ad campaign than an iPad in every classroom. What do say, Apple?